Opening means for containers



July 16, 1963 F. A. MlLlTANA 3,097,786

- OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 22. 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRANK A. MILITANA b q BY 2 L60 gay/ July 16, 1963 F. A. MILITANA 3,097,735

OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 22, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 V g 0' I 8 20 33 32 22 34 so B an 92 II m.- n g l 8 I 26 (an p 7 mi 20 g k v-l0 83 26 79 27 719/5.

INVENTOR.

FRANK A. MILITANA July 16, 1963 F. A. MILITANA 3,097,786

OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 22; 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I94 INVENTOR.

FRANK A. MILITANA BY ATT 019N257 :grasped forpulling the strand to cut the carton.

3,097,786 I OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINERS Frank A. Militana,"550'Monterey Ave, 'Pelham ManonN-Y. Filed Sept. 22,'1961,- Ser. No. 139,899 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) This invention relates -to aquick opening containen and rparticularly concerns novel openingmeans for the container.

According/to the invention there isl'providedtavcutting strand of wire, cord or thelike securedzalongfone orimore inner folds of .a corrugated.orlpaperboardfolded carton.

Attached to the cutting strandlate loops which can be The strand may 'beJattached to the inner sides ofthecarton by suitable fasteningmeans. 'Thestrandmaybe: round in cross section or, I for imore 'efiicient cutting' action, the strand may be multilateraliin cross. section and may be twisted helically or mayihavea helical ridge thereon.

The cutting strands may be arranged inrtheicarton so that any side oitpanel thereof can bezcut open.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a quick opening folded container including cutting strands extending along inner folds for cutting open thecontainer.

Another object is to provideza quickopening folded carton with cutting strands including wires having loops extending outwardly of the carton .atcorners thereof with the strands extending along'inner sides of folds of the carton.

Still another object is to provide :cutting strands for cartons inclosed in adhesive wrapping to facilitate attachment to inner sides of the cartons.

A-still further object is to. provide carton cutting strands as described which are multilateral in cross section or which have helicalridges-to facilitate cuttingaction.

.For: further comprehension of the invention," and of the objects-and advantages thereof, reference will-be had to the following description an'd'accompanying drawings, andto the appended claims in which the various'novel features of the invention. are moreparticularly set forth. In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

'FIG.'1- is. a perspective view. of a carton: provided with 1 opening rneans'according to the invention.

FIG. 2 isa plan view ofa blank from which thecarton in FIG. 1 -isformed,- showing opening strands secured to the blank.

FIG. 3 is a side-view of-a cuttingstrand according to the invention.

cutting strand.

FIG. 9 is .a fragmentary plan-view similar to a portion ofFIG. 6 illustrating st-i llr-another embodimentof the I invention.

FIG. 10 is-asectionalviewonafurtherienlargedscale taken on line 10-.10 ofFIGn9.

F'IG.'1l is a perspective view of-another carton opening tool.

--FIG. 12 is an elevational view 'of-a fragment ofia carton showing a a modified manner of Efastening the "end of a strand to'the outer wallot the carton.

FIG. 13 is: atop perspective view-of'a carten,-with the United States Patent 0 the slots 30. ends of strand 50'.

lines 44, '44. are located near slots 30, 32andare located outwardly of 3,097,786 Patented July 16, 1963 'ice - the carton of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a fragment of a .carton embodyingyet another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 of a furtherimodified form of the invention.

*FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a carton, embodying a still further modified form of the invention.

FIG. 20 is atop perspective view of a carton, embodying yet a further modified form of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a closed rectangular carton 20 formed of folded cardboard, corrugated fiberboard, metal foil or other relatively light tearable sheet material.

The carton has two or more rigid rings :22 at each corner. These rings are attached by twisted wire loops 24 to cutting strands best shown in FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 2 shows a rectangular blank 20 from which the carton 29 is made. The blank includes four rectangular walls 26-29 formed with spaced slots 30, 32-extending inwardly from opposite edges to define four flaps 33-36 at the upper edge and four flaps 38-41 at the lower-edge. The'flaps and panels are foldable along dotted lines 42 and 44, 44' so that the inner sections of walls2'6-29 define four sides of the carton While flaps 33, 35 can be abutted and lapped over abutted flaps '34, 36 to define the top of the carton, and flaps 38, 40 can be abutted and lapped over abutted flaps 39, 41 to form the bottom of the carton. An adhesive tape 37-seals abutting edges of walls'26, 29 of the carton. The tape may also seal a tab extending from a wall.

ntached to opposite ends of strand 5-0. Intermediate rings 'B, C and D ane attached by twisted loops '24-"looalted at Rings A and'E' are'attached to opposite Intermediate rings B, C and D are attached by twisted loops 24- located at slots 32.

Perpendicularly disposed to the strands 50, 50 are strands 60. These strands-have no intermediate loops or rings. The strands have rings 'V1-V4':at-tached to the respective upper looped'and twisted ends. -Rings V1'V4 are-attached to the respective lower looped and twisted ends'of the strands 60. The strands 60 are attached by staples 53 adjacent to fold lines-42 perpendicular to fold The ringsat ends of the several strands the corners of the carton 20 as indicated in FIG. 1. -'1" he strands are arranged sothat ring A can bejpulled to cut the carton at the fold'betweenflap 33 and side wall '26.

Then ring B can be pulled outwardly to cut the carton on -the fold between flap 34 and Wa1l27. Thenring C can be pulledrto cut the canton on the fold-between flap 35 and wall 2 8. Finally, ring D can bepulled to cut the car-ton on the fold-between flap 36 'andwall 29. Alternatively, the cutting can be donein reverse direotionstarting with thepulling of ring Eand ending with the" pulling of-ring B. Thiswillseverthe entire top of the carton.

Similar pulling of the rings A D or E B' will sever the bottorn of the carton. 'AnyisideIpanelcan-becut off by further pulling of appropriate top rings *V1--V4 at adjacent corners of the carton. Thus, pulling rings V1- V2 downwardly will open wall 26 if either the top or bottom edges or both are first cut open. While the rings are shown loose on the outside of the carton, such rings may be fastened removably to the outside surface by staples such as the staple 55 shown in FIG. 12, or may be fastened by glue or in any other suitable manner.

The vertically disposed strands 60 inside folds 4-2 can be pulled outwardly starting with the bottom rings to open any side panel. The staples 52 or 53 cooperate in holding each length of cutting strand in place while the operating ring is pulled in a direction generally perpendicularly outwardly of the fold being out If the strand should have a tendency to slip through the staples, slippage will be stopped at a carton corner by the ring located at the uncut end of the fold line being out. If desired, the operator can grasp the rings at opposite ends of the fold line being cut and can hold both tings while one is being pulled.

FIGS. 1 and 5 show a tool 70 which can be employed for cutting cartons having thick walls or fold lines of considerable length. This tool is shown removably attached to wall 26 by clips 72. The clips could be fastened to the wall 26 by a tape or any other suitable means. The tool is a rigid straight bar or rod formed with a V-shaped bend 74 intermediate its ends. The bar can be inserted in any ring 22 and the ring can be engaged in bend 74. The operator will then grasp the aligned ends of the tool as handles and pull outwardly to effect the desired cutting of the carton fold. In FIG. 11 is shown an alternate tool construction in which the tool 70' is provided with an integral central hook 75 at bend 74 which can be engaged in a ring 22 to be pulled.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate means for attaching the cutting strands in place on the inner side of the blank and car-ton without use of staples. The strands 50, 60 are shown enclosed in tapes 80 with rolled edges forming tubes 83 having an inner adhesive coating 84 to engage the strands with margin 81 adhering to side 79 of the tape. The tubes are cut away at '83 where the twisted wire loops 24 project. A further adhesive coating 85 is applied between the outer side of the tape 80 and the inner side of the carton blank 20", to which the tape is secured. This coating can be a pressure sensitive substance coated on the tape prior to assembly on the carton blank 20".

Instead of forming the cutting strands of round wire or cord, they can be formed of wire which is multilateral. FIGS. 9 and 10 show blank 20 with cutting strands formed of wire 90 which is triangular in cross section. The sides 92 of the wire can be concave to define sharp cutting ridges 94. If desired, this multilateral wire can be helically twisted. Other parts are numbered to correspond with similar parts on blanks 20 and 20-.

FIG. 8 shows carton cutting wire 95 which has a cylindrical body integrally formed with a helical ridge 96. This ridge acts as a cutting element to facilitate severing of the carton folds for cutting thereof. The helically ridged wire 95 and multilateral wire 90 can be wrapped in attaching tape 80 or 80' illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 10.

Instead of employing separate rings made of metal or plastic, the rings can be integrally formed of the wire strands themselves.

The invention makes it possible to open cartons having walls which are several feet in length and considerable thickness. Any wall and plurality of walls can be opened as required. The cutting strands and rings can be supplied in large rolls on spools, and desired lengths can be cut off as required. The strands enclosed in tapes 80, 80 can also be supplied in rolls with the outer side precoated with adhesive coating 85.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, there is illustrated a rectangularshaped carton 100 having front and rear walls 102 and 104, respectively, bottom wall 106 and end walls 108,

108, and a hinged cover for closing the open top. A strand .112 having end rings 114 and 116 and two intermediate rings 118, 118 extends around the top of the front, rear and end walls on the inside thereof with the rings extending to the outside. Pulling on the rings will open three folds of the top leaving one fold for a hinge for the cover 10. The strand could be arranged so that it opens three folds on the bottom or sides if desired.

FIG. 15 shows a carton 120 triangular in cross section. A strand 122 shown in FIG. 16 with end rings 124, 124 and a single intermediate ring 126 extends around the side Walls 128 of the carton adjacent the top of the carton, with the rings extending outwardly. One fold of the carton constitutes a hinge for a cover 130. The strand, by pulling on the rings, will open two folds leaving the one fold for the hinge cover.

In FIG. 17, two abutting walls 132 and 134 of a carton are shown composed of non-severable material connected by a strip 136 of severable material. A strand 137 having two end rings 138 is placed inside the strip along one of the long edges of wall 134, with the rings 138 exposed. Pulling on the rings and severing the strip 136 will open the carton.

FIG. 18 shows two Walls 140 and 142 of a carton joined by a mitre joint. A strip 144 of severable material secures the walls together. A strand 146 is placed inside the strip along the mitre joint with its end rings 148, 148 exposed. Pulling on the rings will open the carton at the mitre joint.

In FIG. 19, a rectangular-shaped carton 150 is shown with front and rear walls 152 and 154, respectively, and end walls 156, 157. A strand 158 is shown along the top center of the front wall 152, with its end rings 160, 160 outside the wall. Another strand 162 extends on the inside of the front wall from one end of the strand 158 downwardly and inwardly to the center of the front wall. The end rings 164 of string 162 are disposed on the outside of the front wall. Another similar strand 166 extends from the other end of strand 158 downwardly an'd inwardly to the center of the front wall on the inside thereof. The end rings 168, 168 thereof are on the outside of the front wall. By actuating the rings, the carton may be opened at the front top, or downwardly along the front wall at various points.

The end wall 156 is provided with a pair of strands 170, 170 along the top at both sides of the center thereof, on the inside of the wall, with the end rings 172, 172 thereof on the outside of the Wall. Another pair of strands 174, 174 extend along the bottom at both sides of the center thereof, on the inside of the wall, with the end rings 176, 176 on the outside. Another strand 178 extends vertically from the top to the bottom at the center with its end rings 180, 180 on the outside. By reasorr of this arrangement of strands, the center of the end wall may be opened either top or bottom thereof on either side of the center by merely pulling on the end rings.

FIG. 20 illustrates a hollow cylindrical or round carton 182 closed at both top and bottom by top and bottom walls 184 and 186, respectively. A strand 188 is placed inside the top wall 184 with its end rings 190, 190 extending outwardly of the carton. A similar strand 192 extends around the inside of the bottom wall 186, with its end rings 194, 194 extending outwardly. Another strand 196 extends from the top to the bottom wall between the points of exit of the strands 188 and 192. The end rings 198, 198 of the strand 196 are disposed on the outside of the carton. By reason of this arrangement of strands, by pulling on the rings the carton may be opened at the top and bottom and at the side from top to bottom.

It will be understood that a single strand or a plurality of strands may be fastened by glue or in any suitable manner to the inner surface of the carton, and the loops or rings may be fastened to the outer surface of the carton at any desired point by glue or in any other suitable manner. The container may be of any size, shape or form desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. A quick opening carton comprising a rectangularshaped box-like structure having front, rear, end, top and bottom walls, a flexible strand along the top of the front wall at its center, on the inside thereof, rings on the ends of the strand disposed outside the wall, a strand extending from one end of said top strand downwardly to the bottom and inwardly toward the center of the front wall, rings on the ends of the latter strand disposed outside the front wall, another strand extending downwardly to the bottom and inwardly toward the center of the front Wall, rings on the ends of the \latter strand disposed outside the front wall, said arrangement of strands being such that pulling on the rings opens the carton along the front wall top and at points to each side of the center of the front wall, a pair of strands on the top of one of said end walls on both sides of the center thereof, rings on the ends of said strands disposed outside the end wall, a pair of strands on the bottom of said one end wall on both sides of its center, rings on the ends of the latter pair of strands, disposed outside the structure, a strand at the center of said one end wall extending from the top to the bottom thereof, rings on the ends of the latter strand disposed outside the end Wall, the arrangement of rings on said one end wall being such that pulling on the rings opens the end wall along the top and bottom thereof and at the center thereof.

2. A quick opening carton comprising a rectangularshaped box-like structure having front, rear, end, top and bottom walls, a pair of flexible strands on the top of one of said end walls on both sides of the center thereof, rings on the ends of said strands disposed outside the end Wall, a pair of strands on the bottom of said one end wall on both sides of its center, rings on the ends of the latter pair of strands, disposed outside the structure, a strand at the center of said one end wall extending from the top to the bottom thereof, rings on the ends of the latter strand disposed outside the end wall, the arrange ment of rings on said one end wall being such that pulling on the rings opens the end wall :along the top and bottom thereof and at the center thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,257 Hunsworth Aug. 22, 1950 182,934 Jewell Oct. 3, 1876 515,865 Johnson Mar. 6, 1894 576,063 Tyrrell Jan. 26, 1897 1,194,172 Harbeck Aug. 8, 1916 1,291,841 Grazier Jan. 21, 1919 1,674,542 Clawson June 19, 1928 1,862,480 Gibson June 7, 1933 1,936,417 Ware Nov. 21, 1933 2,005,665 Saignier June 18, 1935 2,281,854 Miller May 5, 1942 2,584,336 Eisenhardt et a1. Feb. 5, 1952 2,640,623 Ryder June 2, '1953 2,684,807 Gern'sh July 27, 1957 2,870,953 Parker et al Jan. 27, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 667,661 Germany Nov. 17, 1938 846,670 Germany Aug. 14, 1952 

1. A QUICK OPENING CARTON COMPRISING A RECTANGULARSHAPED BOX-LIKE STRUCTURE HAVING FRONT, REAR, END, TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS, A FLEAXIBLE STRAND ALONG THE TOP OF THE ENDS WALL AT ITS CENTER, ON THE INSIDE THEREOF, RINGS ON THE ENDS OF THE STRAND DISPOSED OUTSIDE THE WALL, A STRAND EXTEND ING FRON ONE END OF SAID TOP STRAND DOWNWARDLY TO THE BOTTOM AND INWARDLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE FRONT WALL, RINGS ON THE ENDS OF THE LATTER STRAND DISPOSED OUTSIDE THE FRONT WALL, ANOTHER STRAND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY TO THE BOTTOM AND INWARDLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE FRONT WALL, RINGS ON THE ENDS OF THE LATTER STRAND DISPOSED OUTSIDE THE FRONT WALL, SAID ARRANGMENT OF STRANDS BEING SUCH THAT PULLING ON THE RINGS OPENS THE CARTON ALONG THE FRONT WALL TOP AND AT POITS TO EACH SIDE OF THE CENTER OF THE FRONT WALL, A PAIR OF STRANDS ON THE TOP OF ONE OF SAID END WALLS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CENTER THEREOF RINGS ON THE ENDS OF SAID STRANDS DISPOSED OUTSID E THE END WALL, A PAIR OF STRANDS ON THE BOTTOM OF SAID ONE END WALL ON BOTH SIDES OF ITS CAENTER, RINGS ON THE ENDS OF THE LATTER PAIR OF STRANDS, DISPOSED OUTSID E THE STRUCTURE, A STRAND AT THE CENTER OF SAID ONE END WALL EXTENDING FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM THEREOFM RINGS ON THE ENDS OF THE LATTER STRAND DISPOSED OUTSIDE THE END WALL, THE ARRANGEMENT OF RINGS ON SAID ONE END WALL BEING SUCH THAT PULLING ON THE RINGS OPENS THE END WALL ALONG THE TOP AND BOTTOM THEREOF AND AT THE CENTER THEREOF. 